Bridging the Knowledge Gap of Cold Temperature Range Impacts - A Design Framework for Educating Battery Electric Vehicle Drivers

Abstract

As the automotive industry accelerates towards Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), understanding their efficiency has become a central challenge for modern drivers. BEV batteries are heavily affected by cold temperatures, which often lead to range anxiety in drivers as it drastically lowers vehicle range during the winter. This the sis addresses this issue by exploring the knowledge drivers need to manage winter driving efficiency, specifically focusing on the impacts of HVAC systems (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), driving speed, and temporarily unavailable battery capacity, and identifying the most effective strategies to deliver this information. By translating these complex technical data points into an intuitive user interface, this research aims to bridge the gap between BEV technical factors and the driver’s real-world experience. To achieve this, the project utilized a user-centered methodology guided by the British Design Council’s Double-Diamond framework. The problem space was iteratively explored and narrowed down through four data collection phases: an exploratory study, a survey, semi-structured interviews, and interactive co-design sessions. The qualitative and quantitative insights were combined into user personas and a list of user requirements. These assets informed the development of two initial low-fidelity design concepts, which were ultimately merged into a single, cohesive interface concept based on user feedback. The final results led to eight design recommendations addressing the visual and functional architecture of a driver education concept. Specifically, the findings show that information should be integrated into a mobile framework, such as the Volvo Cars app, using a layered approach that prioritizes clean, intuitive visuals over dense text. Further, an interactive parameter in combination with clear information and actionable measures is recommended to make technical insights and variables feel trustworthy and directly relatable to the driver’s daily life. Lastly, the research results indicate that this educational concept should be introduced during the initial vehicle onboarding phase, while seamlessly integrated within the application for contextual, on-demand use.